Portable pet bowl

ABSTRACT

A bowl assembly has a bowl and a lid. The bowl assembly is adapted to store water or food for a pet. The bowl functions as a container to hold the water or food, while the lid functions in a first configuration to seal the water or food within the bowl. The bowl assembly is convenient to travel with and adapted for use in a vehicle where in the first configuration. The bowl assembly allows for the pet to access the water or food while in a cup holder. The bowl assembly is also stabilized by the lid in a second configuration, where placed on a ground or floor surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/113,291, filed on Aug. 27, 2018, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.11,310,994, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/550,736, filed on Aug. 28, 2017. The entiredisclosures of the above applications are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a container and, more specifically, toa portable pet bowl assembly.

BACKGROUND

Many people travel with their pets. However, there are few public placestailored to the needs of a pet owner. Restaurants and bar owners areoften hesitant to lend bowls designated for human consumption to ownersfor their pets. Moreover, when traveling, there are few places thataccommodate pets.36

Pet bowls are well known in the art. To fulfill the pet's basic needswhile traveling, the owner must often bring a portable pet bowl alongwith a separate bag or container filled with food or water to fill thebowl. For example, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2009/0283047 to Swanson etal., teaches a pet bowl that holds water and is transportable.

Moreover, when the pet is traveling with an owner in a vehicle such as acar or plane, there is often no convenient place for resting the bowl.The owner is frequently left holding the bowl for the pet when the bowlis needed. Although there is minimal space to place a bowl in mostvehicles, most modes of transportation have cup holders built into ordisposed adjacent to the seats. Accordingly, a pet bowl configured to beplaced within a cup holder would secure the bowl, while freeing up thehands of a user. One type of pet bowl designed to fit within cup holdersis described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,527,017 to Cribb, which discloses anapparatus particularly adapted for use in automobiles.

However, pet bowls that are configured to be placed in a cup holderfrequently have a base that is narrower than a portion of the bowl thatholds the contents. This narrower base results in a bowl that is lessstable when not disposed in the cup holder of the vehicle. These knownbowls are particularly unstable and prone to tipping and spillage whenused on ground surfaces or floors.

There is a continuing need for a pet bowl assembly that is convenient totravel with and adapted to for use in a vehicle. Desirably, the pet bowlassembly is also stable when placed on a ground or floor surface.

SUMMARY

In concordance with the instant disclosure, a pet bowl assembly that isconvenient to travel with and adapted to for use in a vehicle, and whichis also stable when placed on a ground or floor surface, has beensurprisingly discovered.

In one embodiment, a bowl assembly includes a bowl and a lid. The bowlhas a hollow main body with a first portion and a second portion. Thefirst portion has a first wall with a lip that defines a first openingin the main body. The second portion has a second wall. The firstportion has a minimum width and the second portion having a maximumwidth. The minimum width of the first portion is greater than themaximum width of the second portion. The lid also has a hollow receiverportion. The lid is positionable between a first configuration and asecond configuration. The first configuration seals the first opening ofthe hollow main body and the second configuration supports the hollowmain body.

In another embodiment, a stacked combination suitable for storage orcommercial display includes a first bowl assembly and a second bowlassembly. Each of the first bowl assembly and the second bowl assemblycontain a lid in the first configuration that seals first openings ofthe first and second bowl assemblies. The second portion of the firstbowl assembly is disposed in a hollow receiver portion of the secondbowl assembly in a nested arrangement. The first bowl assembly and thesecond bowl assembly may be prefilled with contents such as water orfood where in the stacked combination.

In a further embodiment, a bowl assembly includes a bowl and a lid. Thebowl has a hollow main body with a side wall and a base wall. The sidewall has a lip that defines a first opening of the hollow main body. Thebase wall has a gripping layer that is configured to minimize slippageof the main body on a ground or floor surface, and to also militateagainst the main body scratching the ground or floor surface when in useby the pet. For example, the gripping layer may include a soft feltmaterial. The lid is movable between a first configuration, where thefirst opening of the hollow main body is sealed, and a secondconfiguration, where the first opening of the hollow main body isunsealed. At least one of the lip of the bowl and the lid is magnetic inorder to magnetically secure the lid to the lip in the firstconfiguration.

DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, willbecome clear to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light ofthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a bowl assembly according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure, the bowl assembly depicted with alid and a bowl in a first configuration, with the lid disposed on a topof the bowl;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a bowl of the bowl assembly shown inFIG. 1, the bowl shown without a lid;

FIG. 3 a bottom perspective view of the bowl shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the bowl shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the bowl shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the bowl shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an exploded, bottom perspective view of the bowl assemblyshown in FIG. 1, and further showing an optional peel-away film that maybe disposed between the lid and the bowl of the bowl assembly;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the bowl assembly shown in FIG. 1,the bowl assembly depicted with the lid and the bowl in a secondconfiguration, with the lid disposed on a bottom of the bowl andsupporting the bowl on a floor or ground surface;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional, side elevational view of the bowl assemblytaken at section line 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial top perspective view of an interior of a vehiclehaving the bowl assembly shown in FIG. 1, the bowl assembly disposed ina cup holder of the vehicle;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the bowl assembly according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the bowl assembly according to afurther embodiment in the present disclosure, the bowl assembly depictedwith a lid and a bowl in a first configuration, with the lid disposed ona top of the bowl;

FIG. 13 is an exploded, top perspective view of the bowl assembly shownin FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the bowl assembly shown in FIG. 12,the bowl assembly depicted with the lid and the bowl in a secondconfiguration, with the lid disposed on a bottom of the bowl;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional, side elevational view of the bowl assemblytaken at section line 15-15 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of a stack of the bowl assembly shownin FIG. 12, and depicting a nested arrangement of multiple bowlassemblies;

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of the bowl assembly according to yetanother embodiment of the present disclosure, and showing the lid in anopened position; and

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the bowl assembly shown in FIG.17, and showing the lid in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe andillustrate various embodiments of the invention. The description anddrawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use theinvention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention inany manner.

In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-10, a bowl assembly 2 has a bowl 4and a lid 6. The bowl assembly 2 is adapted to store contents such aswater or food for a pet. Specifically, the bowl 4 is configured tocontain contents such as pet food or drinking water, while the lid 6 isconfigured to selectively seal the contents within the bowl 4 where in afirst configuration. The lid 6 is also configured to selectively supportthe bowl 4 where in a second configuration. Each of the firstconfiguration and the second configuration are further describedhereinbelow.

As shown in FIG. 10, the bowl assembly 2 is especially adapted tosupport the contents of the bowl 4 while in a cup holder 8. As shown inFIG. 9, the lid 6 of the bowl assembly 2 is also configured to stabilizethe bowl 4 when the bowl 4 and the lid 6 are placed on a ground surface,identified by plane A. It should be appreciated that the bowl assembly 2is configured to stabilize the bowl 4 and militate against the spillingof the contents during feeding or water of the pet, either through theuse of the cup holder 8, or by securing the bowl 4 to the lid 6 forpurposes of stabilization.

In particular, the bowl assembly 2 has a hollow main body 10 with afirst portion 12 and a second portion 14. The first portion 12 has afirst wall 16 that forms a first cavity 18 (shown in FIG. 2) in the mainbody 10. The second portion 14 has a second wall 20 and a base wall 22(shown in FIG. 3) that together define a second cavity 24 (shown in FIG.2) in the main body 10. The first wall 16 and the second wall 20 mayalso be concentric, with the second wall 20 disposed radially inwardlyfrom the first wall 16.

The first wall 16 has a lip 26 that defines a first opening 28 in themain body 10. The first opening 28 allows the pet to access the contentsdisposed within the main body 10. In certain embodiments, as shown inFIG. 3, each of the first wall 12, the second wall 20 and the base wall22 may integrally formed as a single, unitary, one-piece assembly.However, multi-piece assemblies are also contemplated and considered tobe within the scope of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, a volume of the first cavity 18 islarger than a volume of the second cavity 24. The first portion 12,which contains the first cavity 18, may have a minimum width W1. Thesecond portion 14, which contains the second cavity 24, may have amaximum width W2. The maximum width W2 of the second portion 14 may besmaller than the minimum width W1 of the first portion 12. It should beunderstood that the smaller width W2 of the second portion 14 allows thesecond portion 14 to be placed within the cup holder 8, while the largerwidth W1 of the first portion 12 optimizes the volume of first cavity 18in the main body 10 for holding the contents such as the food, treats,or drinking water for the pet.

It should be appreciated that the first wall 16 of the first portion 12may be of both a height H1 and the width W1 in order to maximize thevolume of the first cavity 18, while allowing the pet to access all thecontents, including the contents within the second cavity 24, within themain body 10. It may otherwise be especially difficult for the pet toretrieve the contents in the second cavity 24, which is both disposed ata bottom of the bowl 4 and may have a smaller volume than the firstcavity 18. It should also be appreciated that if the minimum width ofthe first portion 12 were too small, the pet will not be able to accessthe contents of the main body 10. Consequentially, the first portion 12of the main body 10 needs to be of the width W1 and the height H1 inorder to allow the pet sufficient access to the contents within thefirst and second portions 12, 14, while also maximizing an overallamount of the contents that may be disposed in the bowl 4.

One of the most common household pets is a dog. A minimum average lengthof a dog snout, measured from a nasion of the dog's nose to a tip of thenose, is about two (2) inches. A maximum average length of the dog'ssnout is about six (6) inches. A minimum average height of the dog'ssnout, measured from the top of the nose to the bottom of the dog's jaw,is about two (2) inches. A maximum average height of the dog's snout isabout five (5) inches.

In view of these common dimensions associated with dogs, the bowlassembly 2 may be adapted specifically to accommodate the average snoutsizes of dogs. As non-limiting examples, as shown in FIG. 6, the heightH1 of the first portion 12 may be between about one (1) inch and aboutthree (3) inches, and most particularly about two (2) inches. Similarly,the minimum width W1 of the first portion 12 may be between about 3.25inches and about 7.25 inches, and most particularly about 5.25 inches.

Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, while the first portion 12 ofthe bowl assembly 2 may be adapted for the pet to access the main body10, the second portion 14 of the bowl assembly 2 may be configured tofit within the cup holder 8 of a vehicle 17. For example, the industrystandard diameter for the cup holder 8 is about 2.675 inches, and thedepth of an average cup holder 8 is about 2.25 inches. In a non-limitingexample, the height H2 of the second portion 14 may be between about one(1) inch and about three (3) inches, and most particularly about two (2)inches. Similarly, the maximum width W2 of the second portion 14 may beless than 2.675 inches, and most particularly about 2.6 inches. Itshould be appreciated that the maximum width W2 may be selected in orderto provide a secure interference or friction fit with the conventionalsized cup holder 8. One of ordinary skill in the art may also selectother suitable dimensions H1, H2, W1, and W2 for the bowl assembly 2within the scope of the present disclosure.

Many common cup holders 8 are recesses that are generally frustoconicalin shape. Thus, in certain embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 6, thesecond portion 14 of the bowl assembly 2 may have a correspondingfrustoconical shape. It should be appreciated that this shape permitsfor a more secure holding of the bowl assembly 2, while alsofacilitating an insertion of the second portion 14 of the bowl assembly2 into common types of the cup holder 8. However, it should beappreciated that the second portion 14 may be any other suitable shapechosen by one skilled in the art, as desired.

In a further example, an outer surface of the second portion 14 of themain body 10 may also have a roughened surface texture (not shown), forexample, a ribbed exterior surface. The roughened surface texture mayfacilitate the interference fit between the second portion 14 and thecup holder 8, thereby increasing stability of the bowl 4 where placed inthe cup holder 8 of the vehicle 17.

With reference to FIGS. 7-9, the lid 6 of the bowl assembly 2 may alsohave a collar 30. The collar 30 is adapted to seal the first opening 28in the main body 10. For example, a channel 32 may be formed within thecollar 30. The channel 32 is configured to receive the lip 26 of thebowl 4 that surrounds the first opening 28. Where the lid 6 is disposedon the bowl 4, as shown in FIG. 1, the lip 26 of the bowl 4 is receivedby the channel 32, while a flange 34 of the collar 30 envelops or coversthe lip 26, thereby forming a fluid tight seal. Although the lid 6 isshown in FIG. 7 having the collar 30 and the channel 32, it should beappreciated that the lid 6 may be secured to the bowl 4 through anyother suitable means chosen by a skilled artisan, such as a threads,magnets, hinges, and latches, as non-limiting examples.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the collar 30 further surrounds anintermediate portion 36 of the lid 6. The intermediate portion 36 may bevertically spaced apart from an outer surface 38 of the collar 30. Incertain embodiments, where the bowl assembly 2 is oriented in an uprightposition and the lid 6 is connected to the bowl 4 assembly 2, theintermediate portion 36 is adapted to be vertically below the lip 26 ofthe bowl 4.

With further reference to FIG. 7, a hollow receiver portion 40 may beformed within the intermediate portion 36. The hollow receiver portion40 has a recess 42 defined by a support wall 44 and a stabilizing wall46. The stabilizing wall 46 may be oriented transverse to the supportwall 44. The support wall 44 may be oriented approximately parallel withthe outer surface 38 of the collar 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 9,the outer surface 38 of the collar 30 and an exterior surface 45 of thesupport wall 44 may each be disposed on the plane A, where plane A mayrepresent a ground or floor surface. It should be appreciated that thestabilizing wall 46 of the hollow receiver portion 40 may also beoriented at an angle β relative to the plane A. In particular examples,the angle β is less than 90 degrees, and more particularly about 85degrees, in order to accommodate the second wall 20 where the secondportion 14 is frustoconical. Other suitable angles β may also beemployed, as desired.

In operation, and with renewed reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the lid 6 maybe employed not only in the first configuration as a closure for thefirst portion 12, but alternatively in the second configuration to braceand stabilize the second portion 14 of bowl 4. As shown in FIGS. 8 and9, the hollow receiver portion 40 is open to a bottom side of the lid 6.Where in the second configuration, the lid 6 is removed from the mainbody 10 of the bowl 4 and is inverted or otherwise oriented so that theouter surface 38 of the collar 30 and the exterior surface 45 of thesupport wall 44 are abutting the ground or floor surface. For example,the user may grab the lid 6 by a grip (shown in FIG. 1) disposed on aperipheral edge of the lid 6 in order to remove it from atop the bowl 4and invert the lid 6. The second portion 14 of the bowl 4 is theninserted into the hollow receiver portion 40 of the lid 6 until both thesecond wall 20 of the second portion 14 abuts the stabilizing wall 46 ofthe lid 6, and the base wall 22 of the second portion 20 abuts thesupport wall 44 of the lid 6. It should be understood that the secondportion 14 of the bowl 4 may form a friction fit with the hollowreceiver portion 40 of the lid 6, which results in a stabilization ofthe bowl 4 atop the lid 6.

In certain embodiments, the exterior surface 45 of the support wall 44may have texturing, ridges or bumps (not shown) formed thereon, or anadditional gripping material such as rubber (not shown) disposedthereon, to militate against a sliding of the bowl 4 on the ground orfloor surface. The exterior surface 45 may likewise be configured tominimize and opportunity for damage to the ground surface as the petuses the bowl assembly 2.

It should also be appreciated that, where the lid 6 is in the secondconfiguration, the intermediate portion 36 of the lid 6 is verticallyspaced apart from the ground or floor surface. The intermediate portion36 spaced apart from the ground surface militates against debris fromentering the bowl 4 where the lid 6 is subsequently secured to the lip26 in the first configuration. A skilled artisan will understand thatthis ensures that the contents of the bowl 2 remain untainted oruncontaminated following repeated use of the bowl 4 by the pet.

In a further embodiment, at least one of the stabilizing wall 46 of thehollow receiver portion 40 and an outer surface of the second wall 20 ofthe second portion 14 may have a roughened or textured surface (notshown). For example, the roughened or textured surface may be ribbed.The roughened or textured surface may facilitate a friction fit betweenthe second portion 14 of the bowl 4 and the hollow receiver portion 40,thereby optimizing a stability of the bowl 4 where removably attached tothe lid 6 in the second configuration.

As shown in FIG. 7, an optional peel-away film 48 may also be attachedto the lip 26 of the bowl 4. For example, the peel-away film 48 may beattached to the lid 6 using an adhesive 49. The adhesive 49 may only bedisposed adjacent a perimeter of the peel away film 48. The peel-awayfilm 48 may provide an additional fluid-impermeable barrier to ensurefreshness of the contents stored within the bowl 4. The film 48 whenundisturbed may also allow the user to know that the contents of thebowl 4 were not tampered with before the bowl 4 was purchased. Forexample, the peel-away film 48 may be formed from a thin plastic sheetor a wax paper. However, any other flexible material may also be chosenby one skilled in the art for the peel-away film 48, as desired.

In particular embodiments, the bowl 4 may be purchased prefilled withfood or water for the pet. In operation, the user may purchase aprefilled bowl assembly 2 in the first configuration with the lid 6disposed on top of the bowl 4, and then subsequently remove the lid 6and, where present, the peel-away film 48. Once the lid 6 is removed,the user may place the second portion 14 of the main body 10 in the cupholder 8 of the vehicle 17, where the pet is inside the vehicle 17.

Alternatively, once the lid 6 is removed from the top of the bowl 4, thesecond portion 14 may be secured within the hollow receiver portion 40of the lid 6 in the second configuration. This stabilizes the bowl 4where placed on the ground or floor surface as described hereinabove.Where the pet is finished consuming the contents of the bowl 4, the usermay secure the collar 30 of the lid 6 to the lip 26 of the bowl 4 toreseal the contents of the bowl assembly 2 in the first configuration,for later use.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the lid 6′ of the bowlassembly 2′ may be removably attached to the bowl 4′ by a band 50′. InFIG. 11, like or related structure to that shown in FIGS. 1-10 isidentified with the same reference number and a prime symbol (′) forpurpose of clarity.

As shown in FIG. 11, the band 50′ is configured to extend around anouter perimeter of the first portion 12′ beneath the lip 26′ of the bowl4′. The band 50′ thereby removably secures the lid 6′ to the main body10′ of the bowl 4′. For example, the band 50′ may be stretchable andformed from an elastomeric material such as rubber or silicone thatallows the band 50′ to be stretched over top of the lip 26′.Additionally, the lid 6′ may be connected to the band 50′ by a hinge51′, for example a living hinge that is integrally formed with both theband 50′ and the lid 6′. Other suitable materials and types of hinge 51′may also employed, as desired.

In a further embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12-16, the lid 6″ may behingedly attached to the bowl 4″ of the bowl assembly 2″ in the firstconfiguration with the lid 6″ disposed atop the bowl 4″. In FIGS. 12-16,like or related structure to that shown in FIGS. 1-11 is identified withthe same reference number and a double prime symbol (″) for purpose ofclarity.

In particular, as shown in FIGS. 12-16, the intermediate portion 36″ ofthe lid 6″ may be hingedly connected to the collar 30″ by the hinge 51″.For example, the intermediate portion 36″ may have a pair of projections58″ that are configured to connect with at least one protrusion 60″ onthe collar 30″ of the lid 6″ and which, together with a hinge pin 66″,define the hinge 51″. In this manner, the intermediate portion 36″ ofthe lid 6″ is configured to be used as a hinged “cap” on the lid 6″ thatis configured to be opened and closed to selectively provide access tothe contents of the bowl assembly 2″, all while the collar 30″ of thelid 6″ otherwise remains attached to the top of the bowl 4″

The lid 6″ may also have a loop 59″ for carrying the bowl assembly 2″.The loop 59″ may be attached to the collar 30″ of the lid 6″, forexample. The loop 59″ is adapted to connect to a carabiner clip (notshown), for example, for ease in transport of the bowl assembly 2″ on abelt or strap of a backpack or luggage. The loop 59″ may be connected toboth the projections 58″ of the intermediate portion 36″ and theprotrusion 60′″ on the collar 30′ via the hinge pin 66″. Other suitablemeans for connecting the loop 59″ to the lid 6″ may also be employed, asdesired.

With reference to FIG. 13, the intermediate portion 36″ of the lid 6″may be moved from an opened position, where the contents of the bowl 4″may be accessed by the pet, to a closed position, where the bowl 4″ issealed. For example, the collar 30″ may have a rim 52″ that defines acentral aperture 54″ in the lid 6″, which is selectively accessed bymoving the intermediate portion 36″ to the opened position. Theintermediate portion 36″ is adapted to selectively seal the centralaperture 54″ of the collar 30″ where the intermediate portion 36″ ismoved to the closed position.

Referring now to FIG. 15, the intermediate portion 36″ may have a ledge56″ that is oriented generally parallel with an outer surface of the rim52″ of the collar 30″ where the intermediate portion 36″ is in theclosed position. It should be appreciated that the outer surface of therim 52″ forms a hard stop for the intermediate portion 36″ where in theclosed position. In particular, the ledge 56″ is configured to abut therim 52″ where the intermediate portion 36″ has been closed. In certainembodiments, the ledge 56″ may further be surrounded by an elastomericgasket (not shown) to form a fluid tight seal where the intermediateportion 36″ is moved to the closed position.

It should be understood that the hinge 51″ may be defined by both theprotrusion 60″ disposed on the collar 30″ and the cooperating pair ofprojections 58″ disposed on the intermediate portion 36″ of the lid 6″,as described hereinabove. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 13-14, eachof the projections 58″ may have a first hole 62″ formed therethrough,and the protrusion 60″ may have a second hole 64″ disposed therethrough.The hinge pin 66″ may be inserted through both the first and secondholes 62″, 64″ of the projections 58″ and the protrusion 60″. The hingepin 66″ thereby hingedly connects the intermediate portion 36″ to thecollar 30″.

Advantageously, the hinge 51″ of the cap-like intermediate portion 36″allows the pet to access the contents of main body 10″ without fullyremoving the lid 6″ from the bowl 4″. It should be appreciated that askilled artisan may use any other suitable means for hingedly connectingthe lid 6″ to the main body 10″ of the bowl 4″, including but notlimited to a living hinge, a bifold hinge, a butt hinge, case hinges, ora spring-loaded hinge, as desired.

As shown in FIGS. 14-15, the lid 6″ may also be employed in the secondconfiguration to stabilize the bowl 4″. For example, the lid 6″ may beremoved entirely from the first portion 12″ of the bowl 4″, where it isdisposed in the first configuration as shown in FIG. 12, and placed on aground or floor surface in the second configuration to support andstabilize the bowl 4″, as shown in FIGS. 14-15.

It should be appreciated that, in contrast to the lids 6, 6′ shown inFIGS. 1-11, the lid 6″ shown in FIGS. 12-16 does not need to be invertedwhen placed in the second configuration. The hollow receiver portion 40″is instead open to a top side of the lid 6″. Also, in order to furthermilitate against debris from the ground or floor surface sticking to thelid 6″ and falling into the bowl 4″ when the lid 6″ is returned to thefirst configuration, the intermediate portion 36″ may have domed shape.

With particular reference to FIG. 15, the domed shape of theintermediate portion 36″ in turn causes an interior surface of the lid6″ to be spaced apart from and above the ground or floor surface wherethe lid 6″ has been placed on the ground or floor surface. This spacingof the interior surface apart from the ground or floor surface in thesecond configuration militates against the debris sticking to the insideof the lid 6″ where placed on the ground or floor surface, and fallinginto the bowl 4″ where the lid 6″ is subsequently reattached in thefirst configuration. It should also be appreciated the support wall 44″is further spaced apart from the ground or floor surface where the lid6″ is inverted and in the second configuration on the ground or floorsurface, thereby ensuring that the support wall 44″ also does not touchthe ground or floor surface while supporting the bowl 4″.

Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 13-16, the hollow receiver portion 40″of the lid 6 is disposed within the dome-shaped portion of theintermediate portion 36″. The support wall 44″ of the hollow receiverportion 40″ may be oriented roughly parallel to the lip 26″ of the bowl4″ where the collar 30″ of the lid 6″ is attached to the main body 10″of the bowl 4″ in the first configuration, as shown in FIG. 12.

With reference to FIG. 16, the hollow receiver portion 40″ of the bowlassembly 4″ in the first configuration is also adapted to receive thesecond portion 14″ of another bowl assembly 2″ in a nested arrangement.It should be appreciated that the relative orientations of the supportwall 44″ and the stabilizing wall 46″ facilitate the stackability andnesting of multiple bowl assemblies 2″. For example, the support wall44″ is disposed below the intermediate portion 36″, where the lid 6″ isattached to the lip 26″ of the main body 10″ in the first configuration.This relative placement of the support wall 44″ defines a recess 42″that is adapted to receive the second portion 14″ of another bowlassembly 2 in the nested arrangement, as shown in FIG. 16. Thestabilizing wall 46″ of the lid 6″ of the bowl assembly 2″ is adapted tosupport the second portion 14″ of the another bowl assembly 2″ in asubstantially upright position where nested together in the stack.

It should be understood that the stackable nature of the bowl assembly2″ is particularly advantageous, as it conserves space or volume whenstoring multiple bowl assemblies 2″, for example, on a store shelf, orduring transport of multiple bowl assemblies 2″, for example, on a longtrip with one's pet. This is especially advantageous where the bowlassemblies 2″ are also prefilled with food or water for use by the pet.

In yet another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 17-18, the bowl assembly 2′″is configured for use while walking, running, or hiking with the pet. InFIGS. 17-18, like or related structure to that shown in FIGS. 1-16 isidentified with the same reference number and a triple prime symbol (′″)for purpose of clarity.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the lip 26′″ of the side wall 16′″ maydefine a first opening 28′″ of the bowl assembly 2′″. The first opening28′″ is formed in the bowl 4′″ on a side of the main body 10″ oppositethe base wall 22′″ of the bowl 4′″. The base wall 22′″ is adapted tostabilize the main body 10′″ where placed on the ground or floorsurface, while the first opening 28′″ allows the pet to access thecavity 18′″ formed in the main body 10′″.

As with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-16, the lid 6′″ shown in FIGS.17 and 18 is movable between the first configuration and the secondconfiguration. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the firstconfiguration is a positioning of the lid 6′″ of the main body 10′″ toselectively cover and seal the first opening 28′″. Conversely, thesecond configuration is a positioning of the lid 6′″ of the main body10′″ to selectively uncover and unseal the first opening 28′″. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, it should be appreciated that thelid 6′″ in the second configuration does not necessarily support thebowl 4′″, and may instead just be removed or hingedly opened to unsealthe first opening 28′″, for example, as shown in FIG. 17.

In a particular embodiment, at least one of the lip 26′″ of the mainbody 10′″ and the collar 30′″ of the lid 6′″ may be magnetized. Amagnetic attractive force between the lip 26′″ and the collar 30′″ mayallow the user to selectively secure the lid 6′″ to the rim of theopening 28′″. In other non-limiting examples, the lid 6′″ mayselectively seal with the main body 10′″ using a friction fit, a clasp,hook-and-loop fastener, or cooperating threads on the lip 26′″ and rim.However, one skilled in the art may select any other suitable mechanismto secure the lid 6′″ to the main body 10′″, as desired.

It should be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, there may be anadditional rubber, silicone, or a pliable plastic material surroundingat least one of the lip 26′″ of the opening 28′″ and the rim of the lid6′″, in order to facilitate the sealing of the lid 6′″ with the bowl4′″.

In further embodiments, in order to militate against the user misplacingthe lid 6′″ where the lid 6′″ is removed from atop the bowl 4′″, the lid6′″ may be connected to the main body 10′″ with a connector 51′″. Theconnector 51′″ may be one of a hinge, a rope, a plastic strap, a cord, achain, combinations thereof, and any other suitable connecting meansselected by a skilled artisan. In a particular example, as shown inFIGS. 17-18, the connector 51′″ may be the hinge 51′″, which hingedlyattaches the lid 6′″ to the main body 10′″.

As shown in FIG. 18, the base wall 22″ of the main body 10′″ may have abase surface 68′″. The base surface 68′″ is configured to abut theground or floor surface, and thereby stabilize the bowl assembly 2′″where placed on the ground or floor surface. For example, the basesurface 68′″ may be substantially planar. The base surface 68′″ mayfurther be provided with a texturing, such as bumps or ribs, tofacilitate a gripping of the base surface 68′″ with the ground or floorsurface. The base surface 68′″ may also have a gripping layer 70′″ tominimize slippage of the main body 10′″ and militate against the mainbody 10′″ scratching the ground or floor surface. As non-limitingexamples, the gripping layer 70′″ may include a soft felt cloth orrubber that is adhered to the base surface 68′″ with an adhesive. As afurther example, the gripping layer 70′″ may be an elastomeric coating.Other suitable materials for the gripping layer 70′″ may also beemployed within the scope of the present disclosure.

In a further embodiment, the main body 10′″ may also have at least oneclip (not shown) that permits a user to easily latch the main body 10′″onto a backpack or belt loop for easy transportation. For example, themain body 10′″ may have two clips, disposed on opposite sides of themain body 10′″, which permit the user to attach straps to the bowl 4′″for ease in transport. The bowl assembly 2′″ may also use any othersuitable attachment means, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, carabinerclips, rope and knot combinations, and other suitable fastening devices,as desired.

The main body 10′″ may have a nozzle 72′″ with a second opening 73′″ forpouring and filling purposes. The nozzle 72′″ may be a hollow,cylindrical protrusion, for example. The nozzle 72′″ may have a threadedouter surface 74′″ that is configured to selectively coupled with a cap76′″ having a threaded interior surface. The cap 76′″ may also beattached to the main body 10′″ by a rope, plastic strap, or cord, asshown in FIGS. 17-18. Other means for securing the cap 76′″ to the mainbody 10′″ may also be employed within the scope of the disclosure.

In operation, the user will fill the main body 10′″ of the bowl 4′″ withcontents such as water or food for the pet to consume. Once full, theuser selectively secures the lid 6′″ to seal the first opening 28′″ ofthe main body 10′″. The user may then transport the bowl assembly 2′″and provide the pet with nourishment when necessary. To provide thenourishment, the user may remove the lid 6′″ and allow the pet to accessthe contents inside the main body 10′″. Alternatively, the user mayremove the cap 76′″ on the nozzle 72′″ and pour the contents intoanother container for the pet. Where the pet is finished consuming thecontents, the user will re-attach the lid 6′″ and continue with thetraveling or other activity.

The bowl assembly 2, 2′, 2″, 2′″ illustrated in FIGS. 1-18, may bemanufactured of a variety of materials including plastic, rubber,silicone, STYROFOAM®, metal such as aluminum or steel, wax-coated paperor cardboard, combinations thereof, or any other suitable materialchosen by a skilled artisan. The material selected may be selected to befluid impermeable where the bowl assembly 2, 2′, 2″, 2′″ is intended tostore or hold water, for example. The bowl assembly 2, 2′, 2″, 2′″ mayalso be formed from an insulating material or be vacuum jacketed inorder to minimize heat transfer between the interior and the exterior ofthe bowl assembly 2, 2′, 2″, 2′″. The insulating material may include aneoprene covering, for example. Additionally, although the bowl 4, 4′,4″, 4′″ and the lid 6, 6′, 6″, 6′″ are shown as generally round andsymmetrical in shape in each of the embodiments illustrated, a skilledartisan may select any other suitable shape for the bowl assembly 2, 2′,2″, 2′″, as desired.

In certain embodiments, the side wall 28, 28′, 28″, 28′″ of the mainbody 10, 10′, 10″, 10′″ of the bowl assembly 2, 2′, 2″, 2′″ may furtherhave an ornamental covering, or be configured to receive an insert, forexpressing personal messages or advertisements (not shown).

Advantageously, the bowl assembly 2, 2′, 2″, 2′″, is convenient totravel with, may be adapted for use in the vehicle 17, for example, asshown in FIG. 10, and is also stable where placed on a ground or floorsurface for use by the pet, as shown in FIG. 9.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown forpurposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the disclosure, which is further described in thefollowing appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bowl assembly, comprising: a bowl with a hollowmain body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portionhaving a first wall, the first wall having a lip that defines a firstopening in the main body, the second portion having a second wall, thefirst portion having a minimum width and the second portion having amaximum width, the minimum width of the first portion being greater thanthe maximum width of the second portion; and a lid with a hollowreceiver portion, the lid positionable between a first configuration anda second configuration, the first configuration sealing the firstopening of the hollow main body and the second configuration supportingthe hollow main body, wherein the lid has a collar configured to receivethe lip of the first portion of the main body where in the firstconfiguration, and wherein the collar of the lid is hingedly attached toa band, and the band configured to surround the first portion of themain body where in the first configuration.
 2. The bowl assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the collar surrounds the hollow receiver portion, thehollow receiver portion having a support wall and a stabilizing wall andconfigured to receive the second portion of the bowl in the secondconfiguration.
 3. The bowl assembly of claim 2, wherein the hollowreceiver portion is open to a bottom side of the lid and the lid isinverted from the first configuration to the second configuration inorder to support the bowl in the second configuration.
 4. The bowlassembly of claim 2, wherein the hollow receiver portion is open to atop side of the lid and the lid is not inverted from the firstconfiguration to the second configuration in order to support the bowlin the second configuration.
 5. The bowl assembly of claim 4, whereinthe lid has an intermediate portion surrounding the hollow receiverportion, and the intermediate portion is dome shaped.
 6. The bowlassembly of claim 5, wherein the intermediate portion is connected tothe collar of the lid with a hinge and is movable between an openedposition and a closed position.
 7. The bowl assembly of claim 6, whereinthe hinge is defined by at least one protrusion formed on the collar, apair of projections formed on the intermediate portion, each of theprotrusion and the projections having a hole formed therein, and a hingepin disposed through the hole in each of the protrusion and theprojections.
 8. The bowl assembly of claim 7, wherein the collar has acentral aperture formed therein, and the intermediate portion has aledge that is configured to be received by the central aperture wherethe intermediate portion is in the closed position.
 9. A bowl assembly,comprising: a bowl with a hollow main body having a side wall and a basewall, the side wall having a lip that defines a first opening of thehollow main body, the base wall having a gripping layer that isconfigured to minimize slippage of the main body on a ground or floorsurface and to militate against the main body scratching the ground orfloor surface; and a lid positionable between a first configuration anda second configuration, the first configuration sealing the firstopening of the hollow main body, wherein at least one of the lip and thelid is magnetic in order to magnetically secure the lid to the lip wherein the first configuration.
 10. The bowl assembly of claim 9, whereinthe gripping layer is formed form a felt material.
 11. The bowl assemblyof claim 9, wherein the main body has a second opening formed throughthe side wall.
 12. The bowl assembly of claim 11, further comprising anozzle formed on the side wall adjacent the second opening, the nozzlehaving a threaded surface that receives a threaded cap, the thread capconfigured to selectively seal the second opening.